Deputies: Restaurant manager stole $33,000 from JB's Fish Camp

A restaurant manager faces a variety of theft and fraud charges after accusations were raised he stole more than $33,600 from JB's Fish Camp.

MARK I. JOHNSONSTAFF WRITER

A restaurant manager faces a variety of theft and fraud charges after accusations were raised he stole more than $33,600 from JB's Fish Camp and Seafood Restaurant, according to Volusia County Sheriff's office complaint affidavit.

The affidavit indicated Scott F. Demick, 45, of Bethune Beach admitted to investigators he signed his name to business checks and charged items to a business credit card over a 15-month period while he was general manager of the popular Bethune Beach restaurant at 859 Pompano Ave.

The investigation began May 13 when the restaurant owner John Bollman III contacted sheriff's deputies to report the suspected crimes. He had flown back to Florida from Hawaii out of fear Demick would continue to steal large amounts of money, the report said.

The affidavit said the business' accountant reported what appeared to be several fraudulent transactions to bookkeeper Lori Tripp.

Investigators went to the restaurant to question Demick and he locked himself in the liquor room in an attempt to hide from them. When he came out, Demick agreed to talk with deputies and “openly admitted to all the thefts and fraudulent activity alleged against him,” the affidavit indicated.

Demick said he had taken the money with the intention of paying it back, however things got out of control and the amount outweighed what he could repay, the document said. He told deputies a large portion of the money was used to purchase a 2013 Chevy Camaro, according to the affidavit.

Once the investigation was complete, investigators filed charges with the State Attorney's Office for scheming to fraud, grand theft and criminal use of personal identification.

Efforts to reach Demick and Bollman by telephone for comment on the fraud Friday were unsuccessful.